29 Apr How to Pick the Best Solar Panels

Solar energy is a wise investment and a great way to virtually eliminate your power bills. The solar panels you choose will have an impact on your utility savings and is an important decision. Most solar companies in Maine install at least a couple of different panels. Let’s explore some of the most important considerations.

Solar Panel Efficiency

The efficiency of the solar panels impacts how much energy you produce. A more efficient module will produce more electricity in a given space than a less efficient panel. The industry average for solar panel efficiency is currently between 16 and 18 percent.

Efficiency is most important when space is limited. If you want to produce as much of your power as possible but have limited roof space, going with a more efficient panel is a good idea. Otherwise, warrant, price, and appearance might be more important considerations.

Manufacturer’s Warranties

Power Performance Guarantees

Over time, even the highest quality solar panels produce less electricity due to degradation. Although all solar panels become less effective in producing electricity over time, the exact rate varies by the PV panel. Performance guarantees ensure that our solar panels are generating a certain percentage of their original capacity after a given length of time.

Most of the solar panels that we install in Maine have a manufacturer’s guarantee of 90 percent production after ten years and 80 percent after 25 years. This means that if your solar panels generated 10 kWh of electricity when the solar system was first installed, they will produce at least 8 kWh of energy after 25 years, under the same conditions.

Equipment Warranties

Most solar PV manufacturers also offer protection against defective equipment. Many solar panels come with a 10 or 12-year equipment warranty covering the integrity of the panel itself and protecting against premature wear and tear.

Some PV panel manufacturers are now offering 25-year equipment warranties, including Solaria. At Sundog Solar, we only install solar systems with long, comprehensive warranties and high-quality equipment to protect your solar investment.

Solar Panel Appearance

The look of a solar panel is important to many of our customers, especially when the panels are visible from the front of the home. There are all-black solar panels available on the market, and they are very popular due to their sleek look.

Solaria panels use solder-free connections that increase durability and long-term energy production. This feature also makes the panels visually appealing because of their all-black appearance. The Solaria panels are modestly priced when compared to other advanced, all-black solar panels but are more expensive than our most basic solar panel options.

Solar Panel Cost

The price of solar panels has plummeted in recent years, making solar energy more affordable than ever before. Most of the high-efficiency and all-black solar panels on the market have a higher upfront cost.

At Sundog Solar, our design specialists can help you choose the best solar panel for your goals and budget. We install a variety of high-quality panels with excellent warranties. We set ourselves apart from other Maine solar companies by offering reasonable prices combined with excellent customer service.

Want to find out more about solar energy for your home or business? Request a site survey today.